silhouette of person with clumped paper as thoughts

Disability Law Group: July Case Spotlight

July is Mental Health Month, intended to help raise public awareness and knowledge on important issues related to mental health and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment. Unfortunately, most people who suffer from mental health conditions do not receive the help that they need. We are doing our part to help promote resources and information that could be helpful to those who suffer from various mental health problems – whether a veteran or civilian, adult or child. Our law firm takes great pride in helping people who suffer from mental conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more. There are many resources and benefits available, including insurance, monetary benefits, and treatment available to help people manage and treat their symptoms. Our goal is to help individuals whose mental health conditions interfere with their daily lives, or ability to work so that they can focus on what matters most: treatment and healing. The last thing someone with mental health conditions should have to worry about is the financial burden caused by the inability to work from severe symptoms.

For our July Case Spotlight blog, we are featuring a recent win by attorney Erika Riggs granting Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits and desperately needed Medicare insurance for her client.  In February of 2020, Mrs. Riggs received a phone call from a man who needed help and didn’t know where else to turn; he told Erika that he had been approved for long-term disability (LTD) benefits through his employer, but becoming unable to work at the age of 50 with worsening health problems, he was not sure how much longer that benefit would last or whether he would qualify for SSD benefits while receiving LTD benefits.

Attorney Riggs explained his rights, and reassured him that he would have a strong case for SSD and could even collect LTD benefits while awaiting his decision and approval; she immediately got to work on his application. Her client suffers from severe degenerative disc disease in both his neck and back (or cervical and lumbar spine), as well as degenerative joint disease in his knees, chronic pain syndrome, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, having experienced 2 heart attacks. He had always worked and was nervous about receiving the benefits he needed and still supporting his family. Due to his worsening health problems, and inability to work, as a result, he admitted he began feeling depressed and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. He had been in treatment, and even in rehabilitation services to try to feel better. Erika encouraged him to keep up with his treatment, reporting all symptoms and even medication side-effects, and she worked with him and his doctors to obtain all supportive documents quickly.

In order to help her client receive an award of SSD benefits as soon as possible, Attorney Riggs and her team at Disability Law Group worked quickly to expedite the process, even ensuring the medical evidence relating to his LTD claim was received right away and submitted to Social Security before a decision could be made. Medical Source Statements, and examinations concerning a person’s mental and/or physical health symptoms and limitations, can be especially helpful for LTD and/or SSD cases as they help to confirm what specific work-related limitations an individual has. In just 5 months, Erika and her client received the news that the client was approved for SSD benefits and was able to collect a lump-sum back pay benefit as well as his future monthly benefit and Medicare coverage he needed to continue with critical treatment.

If you or someone you know are suffering from depression or any mental health condition, contact us today for your free consultation. Our attorneys and staff specialize strictly in disability benefits, and we will fight to help you win every benefit you deserve. Whether you were already denied and need to file a request for reconsideration or an appeal, or if you would like help from the very start, contact us today and speak with one of our attorneys to understand your rights.

Soldier with PTSD talking with attorney

Disability Law Group: June Case Spotlight

June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month, intended to help raise public awareness and knowledge on important issues related to PTSD, and to reduce the stigma associated with PTSD. Unfortunately, most people who suffer from PTSD do not receive the help that they need. We are doing our part to help promote resources and information that could be helpful to those who suffer from PTSD – whether a veteran or civilian, adult or child. Our law firm takes great pride in helping people who suffer from mental conditions, including PTSD, to obtain the disability benefits, insurance and resources available to help them so that they can focus on what matters most: treatment and healing. The last thing someone with PTSD should have to worry about is the financial burden caused by the inability to work from severe PTSD symptoms.

Here at Disability Law Group, our attorneys pledged to help share information about disability benefits and resources available for those with PTSD. The pledge form through the Department of Veterans Affairs can be found here: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/awareness_pledge_form.asp.

For our June Case Spotlight blog, we are featuring a recent win by attorney Mandy Kelly granting service connection to a Veteran for his PTSD.  This Veteran entered the military with no psychiatric conditions or symptoms whatsoever.  Unfortunately during service, like all too many veterans, he witnessed someone commit suicide. As one can only imagine, witnessing this tragic, terrible event caused him significant psychiatric distress.  He sought out treatment in service and noted he was suffering psychiatric symptoms at the time of his discharge.  Almost immediately after service, he entered into treatment for his psychiatric symptoms and was diagnosed with PTSD. 

However, upon filing for service connection for PTSD from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, he was denied service connection over and over again.  After almost giving up, and on the brink of losing his home due to being unable to afford his payments, he decided to reach out to an attorney for help; that’s when he was connected with attorney Mandy Kelly at Disability Law Group.  At that point, the veteran’s claim had been pending for almost 5 years, but his doctors had refused to complete the requisite paperwork needed to help corroborate his claim and allow for a proper rating under the law. Mrs. Kelly immediately got to work on this veteran’s case and obtained the evaluations required to help support service-connection for PTSD. Finally, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs granted the veterans claim for service-connected disability benefits that he desperately needed and truly deserved. This decision meant even more than the financial benefit, and now being able to keep a roof over his head, but his claim was now validated. He can begin to focus on the treatment and supports to get better without worrying about how he would make it to the next day.

If you or someone you know are suffering with PTSD, contact us today for your free consultation. Our attorneys and staff specialize strictly in disability benefits, and we will fight to help you win every benefit you deserve. Whether you were already denied service-connection, or believe the percentage assigned is unfair, contact us today and speak with one of our attorneys to understand your rights.

Man getting his 3rd degree burn treated.

Disability Law Group: May Case Spotlight

In March of 2019, a terrible incident occurred in Detroit, Michigan, where an individual sustained severe 3rd degree burns to both of his arms from grease. He was immediately hospitalized for three weeks, undergoing split thickness skin grafting to his left arm and xenograft to his right arm.  Unfortunately, following the operations, he was in severe pain – so much so that narcotic pain medication nor PCA pushes would relieve his symptoms. Therefore, he was taken back for split thickness skin grafting of his right arm. Upon discharge, he was prescribed a series of pain medications to help him manage his pain and muscle spasms at home, including Lyrica and Flexeril.

Recovery at home was another long and hard battle with multiple rounds of physical and home therapy to gain use and control over his arms, hands, and fingers again. He admitted to limitations with carrying and handling objecting, and moving the affected areas. Not only was his functional mobility limited, but his social life was greatly impacted. He recalls feeling self-conscious over the look of his arms, and being overwhelmed with sadness regarding his inability to do all the tasks and hobbies he was used to before the accident occurred. Even caring for himself proved to be difficult.

Next, came surgical management for the scarring, and even additional surgeries including burn contracture release operations on his arms, and Co2 laser ablations to the arms due to symptomatic burns. Upon realizing that his life was not returning to normal as soon as he’d hoped with persistent, uncontrolled pain and muscle spasms, he decided to apply for disability benefits. While the monthly monetary benefit would be helpful as he was not able to work while recovering from his burn injuries, he also knew that the insurance accompanying disability benefits would help with his skyrocketing medical expenses.

He knew he wanted a team of experienced disability attorneys in Michigan that specialize strictly in disability claims, and with a demonstrated track record of success. He found Disability Law Group, and when he called he spoke to an attorney right away. Attorney Randall Mansour talked with him and helped him understand the disability process, promising to stick by his side at every step of the process beginning with the initial application for disability benefits.

Attorney Mansour filed the claimant’s disability application, and he included every detail of his medical history and health problems. After a few months of waiting, with many medical updates provided along the way, the state agency doctor (contracted by the Social Security Administration to review disability claims), determined that he was not significantly limited and would likely quickly improve. Ultimately, Social Security found that even though he could not return to jobs he was used to (including a packer, driver, laborer, and groundskeeper at Ford Motor Company), he could perform other full-time work. Social Security then issued a denial letter as they do for the vast majority of initial claims. Our team at Disability Law Group immediately appealed, requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

Randall prepared his client for what to expect, and obtained all helpful medical information to support his case. Advocating that his client’s condition had not improved and that he should be found “disabled” under the rules, Attorney Mansour argued that Listing 1.08 was met in this case due to the severe nature and extent of the burns sustained. The ALJ agreed, finding that the state agency doctor’s medical opinion was not persuasive based on the medical evidence in this case. Specifically, the ALJ decided, that the burns affecting the arms under surgical management, as defined under the Listings, directed toward the salvage or restoration of major function, and such function was not restored or expected to be restored within 12 months of onset. Therefore, the claimant received a Fully Favorable decision and was approved for the disability benefits and insurance he deserved.

While the disability process can be a difficult and long battle paper writer filled with many hurdles, an experienced attorney can help you understand your options, and help you obtain disability benefits as quickly as possible. If you or a loved one are unable to work full-time due to your medical condition(s) – whatever that condition may be – you could qualify for disability benefits. Whether you are looking to apply, have already been denied, or are awaiting your court date, you can call and speak with one of our attorneys to help you win the benefits you deserve. We will fight alongside you to make sure you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Call us today to schedule your free consultation. 800-838-1100.

Close-up of hand on top of clipboard.

Disability Law Group: April Case Spotlight

In the summer of 2019, attorney Erika Riggs met with a family in her office in Troy, Michigan, who had called her for a free consultation. They explained that they were all going through what had been the most difficult time in their life. Having suffered significant loss of their father, and tragic injuries from a car accident, the son had now received a Cessation letter from Social Security. This letter not only meant the loss of his desperately needed disability benefits, but also termination of Medicare – the insurance covering treatment for his many chronic, progressive conditions – including a rare condition called syringomyelia – was almost too much to bear. He knew that if he wasn’t able to see his specialists, including his neurologist, his condition could deteriorate further. That’s when he called Disability Law Group, seeking assistance appealing his recent cessation notice from the Social Security Administration.

Mrs. Riggs took the call and could hear the desperation in his voice as he told her that other attorneys and disability law firms had turned him down – stating that because he intended to keep his benefits while awaiting his next level appeal determination, taking his case would mean no attorney fee even if he won. Erika listened to his story, and the suffering he and his family had endured on top of it all; she agreed to take his case pro bono. Most of all, Attorney Riggs recalls that “the family must have been one of the nicest families” she had ever met, and she was “not going to allow him to lose his critical insurance benefits,” especially when her review of the medical records showed that his condition had not improved; therefore, there existed no reasonable grounds for denying him the benefits he deserved and desperately needed. His conditions include syringomyelia, osteopenia, chronic insomnia, chronic pain syndrome, Charcot arthropathy, migraine headaches, pelvic floor dysfunction, ADHD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

That day, Erika and her compassionate team at Disability Law Group, worked diligently to help him – working with her clients’ doctors and healthcare providers to obtain all evidence that was missed by Social Security at the Reconsideration level, and even drafting forms to help support his ongoing disability. Next, the team submitted a waiver of the 75-day notice of a court date so that the client could have his court date scheduled immediately, without any unnecessary delay. By January of 2020, the time for the hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) had come. Erika presented opening and closing arguments, in addition to her pre-hearing brief outlining the supportive evidence establishing disability, and she cross-examined the Vocational Expert to support the case. Ultimately, the ALJ agreed, and shortly thereafter, issued a Fully Favorable decision, finding that disability did not end.

Fortunately, this decision meant that Erika’s client could keep his benefits he had received while waiting for this determination, without having to pay back his benefits nor going without his insurance. While the disability hearing process may seem overwhelming and difficult, an experienced attorney can help you understand your options and ensure you are prepared at every step. If you or a loved one is unable to work full-time due to your medical condition(s), whether you are looking to apply, have already been denied, or are awaiting your court date, you can call and speak with one of our attorneys to help you win the benefits you deserve. We will fight alongside you to make sure you receive the benefits you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation. 800-838-1100.

Randall Mansour

Disability Law Group: March Case Spotlight

Disability Law Group attorney and partner, Randall Mansour, recently received a ‘Fully Favorable’ decision for one of his clients following a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Mr. Mansour reviewed the claimant’s entire disability file, took great care in ensuring his medical file was up-to-date, and even drafted a Medical Source Statement for the claimant’s doctor to review and complete. Medical Source Statements that assess an applicant’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) (or maximum ability to perform work-activities given their individual limitations), can be helpful in disability cases. These assessments can help the ALJ, or the Social Security Administration, to understand the severity of symptoms, diagnoses, response to treatment, and work-related limitations.

Certain limitations for work may relate to the individual’s physical impairments, such as the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, climb, lift, carry, finger and feel objects, reach, and more. Mental and cognitive limitations may also be assessed by way of a Medical Source Statement, and the factors considered may include the person’s ability to maintain focus and concentration, get along with other people, respond to criticism from supervisors, and deal with normal work stress, among others. In a disability case before the Social Security Administration, the applicant’s exertional and non-exertional limitations must all be considered, taken together, and how they may impact work. 

In this case, the Social Security Disability application was filed in December of 2018 which is also the month when the disability began. While the application was denied by Social Security at the initial application stage, our team, at Disability Law Group, acted swiftly to file an appeal so that the client could have a hearing before an ALJ. Once the date was scheduled, Mr. Mansour prepared his client for what to expect – from advising who would be a part of the hearing process to helping him understand questions he could expect to be asked and how to best respond, honestly and completely.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of his control, the client was unable to consistently see his doctors for about 6 months while going through the disability process. However, as soon as he could, he immediately resumed care, seeing his specialists and mental health therapists regularly again. While the Judge seemed reluctant to award benefits back to the date requested due to the gap in the treatment record, Randall convinced her otherwise. Attorney Mansour provided detailed opening and closing arguments during the hearing, and submitted a written brief in support, to help the ALJ understand the unique facts of this case that merit an approval back to December of 2018. Mr. Mansour worked closely with the client’s mental health specialist to draft a thorough Medical Source Statement, bolstering his argument and the facts of the case. Ultimately, the ALJ agreed and approved the client’s Social Security Disability case back to December 2018, allowing for back-pay benefits, future monthly payments, and Medicare coverage. The client was especially relieved to have insurance, allowing him to maintain his critical treatment.

While the disability hearing process may seem overwhelming and difficult, an experienced attorney can help you understand your options and ensure you are prepared at every step. If you or a loved one is unable to work full-time due to your medical condition(s), whether you are looking to apply, have already been denied, or are awaiting your court date, you can call and speak with one of our attorneys to help you win the benefits you deserve. We will fight alongside you to make sure you receive the benefits you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation. 800-838-1100.

Attorney Mandy Kelly

Disability Law Group: February Case Spotlight

Attorney Mandy Kelly recently received a decision from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) granting compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for invasive breast cancer.  The Veteran was prescribed Prempro, a supplemental estrogen medication which has been shown to have an increased risk of invasive breast cancer.

After attending a hearing in December 2019, Mandy Kelly received an immediate response from the Board granting benefits.  The Board found that considering all the evidence of record, the Veteran’s invasive breast cancer was caused by the VA doctor’s decision to prescribe Prempro without truly addressing her medical history.

In this case, the VA provider chose to prescribe the Veteran a medication without fully addressing her own personal risk factors, and therefore established an error in judgment in furnishing medical treatment that proximately caused the Veterans additional disability.

If you believe that a VA Medical Center prescribed you with medication in a careless manner, please contact our attorneys at 1.800.838.1100.

November Case Spotlight

Disability Law Group: November Case Spotlight

Our client, who served in the Air Force from 1958 through 1965, came to our attorneys for help obtaining service-connected disability benefits for certain conditions, including an increased evaluation for his PTSD rating of 30%, after a confusing and frustrating experience going at the process alone. The VA had issued him countless notices about incorrect forms he had submitted, including a letter indicating that they would not accept his appeal and even reducing one of his service-connected conditions. Attorney Mandy Kelly immediately stepped in and helped the veteran understand his options and best legal strategies on appeal. We obtained his personnel records, the complete claims file, and all updated, pertinent medical records to help support his claims.

Two of our partners, Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Riggs, worked together to strategize the veteran’s case in preparation for the Decision Review Officer hearing process, which would be soon scheduled. After months of following up on the appeal and obtaining letters in support from the veteran’s providers, a hearing date was set. Attorney Erika Riggs attended the hearing with the veteran, presenting our theory for an increased evaluation of his PTSD and an argument for a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability.  Following the hearing, our staff at Disability Law Group diligently followed up on the decision for the veteran, requesting expedited processing due to his age.

Through our many calls to the VA, we discovered that the VA lost the transcript of the hearing. Attorney Riggs immediately conducted an additional informal phone conference with the Decision Review Officer, presenting a detailed summary of the testimony obtained during the hearing based on her notes and the arguments supporting the veteran’s claims. In less than one month, the decision was issued granting the veteran’s benefits – an increased valuation from 30% to 100% was awarded; the veteran was also granted entitlement to Individual Unemployability, Special Monthly Compensation based on housebound criteria and Dependent Educational Assistance.

If you or a loved one cannot work full-time due to your medical condition(s), whether you are looking to apply or have already been denied, you can call and speak with one of our attorneys to help you win the benefits you deserve. We will fight to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

Veteran speaking with physician

Disability Law Group: October Case Spotlight

Following nearly a decade of fighting, alone, to obtain service-connected disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the veteran turned to attorneys Mandy Kelly, Erika Riggs and Randall Mansour to assist him in his case. The veteran served in the U.S. Army from August through September of 1989 – his time in the military had been cut drastically shorter than anticipated due to his experiences while there. He claimed that his currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, was caused by his time in the Army and his traumatic experiences while serving; he continued to complain of auditory hallucinations and paranoid thoughts.

While serving, he complained of his new symptoms he began to experience as well as the extraordinary stress he endured, however, his reports only reflected that he was noted to be disruptive, disobedient and unreceptive to counseling. As a result, he was recommended for discharge due to a personality disorder under AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-13. Upon discharge, the veteran filed his claim for service-connection, stating that he believed his condition was a result of his time in service. The VA afforded the veteran various examinations over the years in connection with his claim, but the examiners – contracted through the VA – determined that the veteran’s condition was more consistent with a hereditary condition rather than a result of his experience(s) during service.

While the veteran obtained and submitted favorable letters from his own treating mental health providers and specialists, in support of his claim, the VA disagreed. He even supplied letters from his family members who confirmed that he was not mentally ill, nor did they know about any mental health treatment, prior to service. Unfortunately, the VA found that the medical and lay evidence received were not sufficient as they did provide the appropriate rationale to support his claim. The veteran filed appeal after appeal, but continued to be denied – this is when he decided to hire an attorney to help him in his fight for benefits.

In preparation for his next Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearing, another opinion was requested by a doctor contracted through the VA – one who had never actually met or examined the veteran. This doctor wrote an extensive opinion ultimately opining that the veteran’s current “schizoaffective disorder” was a natural progression of his “personality” disorder that he believed must have been present prior to service; however, he failed to indicate any records from before the veteran’s time in service supporting this conclusion.

Attorneys Mandy Kelly and Erika Riggs worked together to strategize the best legal avenues for relief in this case, reviewing thousands of pages of evidence – from the personnel and in-service records to updated mental health examinations. Our attorneys and team, at Disability Law Group, worked together with the veteran to help shed light on the true picture and history of his mental health condition. Attorney Kelly represented the veteran in his Board hearing in June of 2019, arguing that the evidence supports our theory that it is at least as likely as not that the veteran’s schizoaffective disorder had its onset during military service or was otherwise related to his time in service. The Board agreed, recently issuing a decision that reversed the previous denial and granted service-connection to the veteran back to his initial filing date in 2005.

If you are not receiving the disability benefits you deserve through the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs – whether you are thinking about applying or have already been denied – call and speak with one of our experienced attorneys today. We will fight alongside you to help you win the benefits you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation. 800-838-1100.

Attorney Randall Mansour

Disability Law Group: Case Spotlight

In January 2015, Attorney Randall Mansour’s client filed her claim for Social Security Disability benefits, seeking retroactive payments back to February 2013, when she was no longer able to work. She is a veteran who served in the Army for six years. Following discharge, she worked to help other veterans as a peer support specialist before her own PTSD-related symptoms became too severe to allow her to continue.

While her initial claim for benefits was denied as is quite often the case, Mr. Mansour represented her throughout the appeal process and during her hearing initially scheduled for February 2017. Unfortunately, while she had been patiently waiting for her court date and a chance at obtaining disability benefits, the claimant was unable to attend her hearing due to her mental state. This date so happened to be the same time that her doctors, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, recommended that she be admitted for inpatient psychiatric treatment; she willingly complied.

Attorney Mansour obtained and submitted the necessary documentation confirming her treatment and his request for an adjournment was granted. Her case was continued for a June 2017 hearing following release from her inpatient stay. Two months after the hearing, the Judge issued an Unfavorable decision, denying her case. Mr. Mansour promptly appealed the denial to the Appeals Council. After yet another denial and appeal, this time to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mr. Mansour not only continued to keep his client informed on the process, he made sure to be especially mindful of her mental health – ensuring she felt heard and supported throughout.

While the process for obtaining disability benefits can be long, potentially involving appeal after appeal and seemingly endless mounds of paperwork, an attorney experienced in the disability process who compassionately and zealously advocates for their clients can make all the difference. Fortunately, in this case, the U.S. District Court ultimately agreed with the many errors of the lower court’s decision and issued a Remand Order. While this decision required another hearing, it offered another possibility to secure her long overdue benefits. Mr. Mansour represented her again during the remand hearing on August 15, 2019 and submitted all updated evidence.

In this hearing, a Medical Expert (ME) was present to testify and Randall was again prepared. He obtained additional testimony and cross-examined the medical expert during the hearing. The ME and the Judge agreed with Mr. Mansour’s theory that his client’s PTSD has been severe since February 2013 and medically equal the new PTSD Listings outlined by the Social Security Administration, resulting in an award of more than 6 years of back-pay, future monthly payments and entitlement to Medicare.

If you or a loved one is unable to work full-time due to your medical condition(s), whether you are looking to apply or have already been denied, you can call and speak with one of our attorneys to help you win the benefits you deserve. We will fight alongside with you to make sure you receive the benefits you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation. 800-838-1100.

Attorney Mandy Kelly

Disability Law Group: Case Spotlight

Attorney Mandy Kelly recently received a decision from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) granting service-connected VA disability benefits to her client – a decision long overdue for the veteran. This decision awarded the client future monthly benefits in addition to an award of more than 30 years of back-pay benefits dating all the way back to 1986. In this case, the veteran first filed for benefits immediately after being discharged from the military, but was initially denied.  He served in the Army from November 1979 through November 1982 during which time he had reported suffering injuries related to his back and neck as well as headaches. While the personnel records, documenting reports of these injuries and symptoms during his service, were in his file all along, the VA’s denial indicated that his conditions were not related to service. The veteran’s entrance examination documents that he was healthy with no significant medical history or pain prior to becoming a U.S. soldier.

In order to qualify for VA service-connected disability benefits, the veteran must establish the ‘nexus’ or the link that demonstrates their condition(s) incurred in, was caused by, or aggravated by their time in service. In this case, our client felt defeated not only because he knew that his injuries were directly linked to his time in service, but also because he never actually received a decision on his initial claim. He admits feeling as though the VA just forgot about him. Thereafter, he did what we find that many of our veterans do without an attorney: give-up on their claim.

There is no doubt that in the military, our service members have a tough mindset with the mentality to “suck it up” – often leading to a lack of care or treatment that they deserve. Moreover, upon returning home, most veterans are left in the dark, unsure of what benefits they could be entitled to and how to go about the process.

After years of suffering through the pain with trials upon trials of different medications and treatment, our client’s pain and associated headaches only became worse. Eventually, in 2011, he decided to finally give the VA disability application process another try, the veteran refiled for benefits in 2011 and was denied.  With his denial in hand, he decided to hire an attorney and reached out to Mandy Kelly for help with the appeals process.  Attorney Kelly, with Disability Law Group, represented the veteran at his hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).

During the hearing, Mandy argued that her client’s back and neck conditions, with headaches, were a result of his time in service and she presented the relevant evidence she obtained to help prove his case. The BVA Judge agreed and she acknowledged that the veteran had never received notification of his first 1986 denial of benefits. Ultimately, the Judge found, based on Mandy’s arguments in court, that there existed a due process error and, consequently, reopened the previous decision.  This decision allowed for the veteran to receive his retroactive service-connected disability benefits to paid back to 1986 and continuing on.

If you or your loved one have been fighting with the VA for benefits that are overdue, you can count on Disability Law Group and our experienced team of caring attorneys and staff. Disability is all we do. Call us today to schedule your free consultation at 800.838.1100 or 800.VET.1100.